Rampage Dress

[ACSRS: Determination and Resolution]

Junko focused as the man spoke Misaka's name.

"Oh? What interest do you have in her. Surely you know she's a level 5?"

The man's eyes widened "She is? I'm sorry though, I wasn't looking for her for that sort of reason."

A partial lie, probably. Junko glanced around to check if he had any help coming.

"Then why are you looking for her?"

"There are stories going around of girls pretending to be her. I wanted to ask her about that."

Stories of...? Junko didn't know the specifics about the clones, only what little the queen had told her.

"I'd suggest you try a different day." Junko said. She wasn't being aggressive, she was playing up her nobility though. As she spoke though she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. Her hand went there but there wasn't any blood and the man didn't seem to react with anything other than surprise

The man sighed and shook his head "Very well." Ignoring the momentary wince from Junko.

And with only that, he turned away. He put up no more fuss as he left.

Something still felt off though. Why would...?

A scream came from behind her, back with everyone else.

[ACSRS: Time Limit]

Junko's ability activated with a flash. Faster than normal human reaction time, she twisted and kicked off the ground. Her muscles tore as they were pushed beyond their limit. Before that leg even hit the ground for a third great step it had already healed.

In the center of the park were robots that took the forms of dogs. They were causing havoc around the area and attacking members of the clique.

Junko's eyes caught Misaka, Shirai was with her and she was stopping some of the dogs with quick shocks. She'd be safe there right?

A kick off the ground and a lifted leg like a guillotine shattered a robot as Junko moved. If they were attacking it was going to be to get Misaka. If that was true then how was it being done?

There were a lot of dogs, how had all of them come out of nowhere? She'd have to ask later.

Step, kick, stamp down. Junko was one of the very few of them that seemed to be able to get past the robot dog's armour. Most of the others weren't doing nearly as well. She had to keep moving to make sure her friends didn't get hurt.

The telepaths could do nothing to them at all so Junko needed to prioritise them above anyone else.

It was only when she thought that and threw a glance Misaka's way that she understood. They were being driven apart by the robots. Misaka was being lured away. Shirai was trying to stay close but like Junko she had to deal with more of them too.

Getting Misaka alone was probably their goal which meant capture. The queen had predicted something like this but now Junko had to decide which of the plans needed to be activated.

Misaka would need to be close enough to rescue if they managed to capture her so...

"Shirai, teleport Misaka away! Keep her somewhere where no one will look!"

The teleporter nodded and with a yell from the electromaster they teleported.

[ACSRS: So, I Decided]

The enemy's goal had been removed so in theory they should now retreat. Indeed the dogs did stop for a moment as if rethinking.

"I don't know who you are." Junko said calmly "But we don't appreciate you here. Leave."

The dogs did so, falling back.

Now then, how to get Misaka some guards without becoming a target? They needed decoys. It was a pity that queen had never recruited that esper with the Metamorphose ability. That kind of skill would be really useful right now.

No, they couldn't use that. Additionally while the clique did have espers that could change people's recognition, they couldn't fool cameras. If robots were being used, then anything they used would have to work with that.

As she thought, Kongou walked up to her and asked "What are you thinking?"

Junko was honestly a little embarrassed that she'd forgotten her in all the confusion. She had probably been helping with the dogs too.

"I need a way to create decoys for Misaka. When she isn't performing in an event we'll need to guard her without making her a target."

Kongou nodded and asked "What if we got some wigs?"

Junko thought about that for a moment before shaking her head and explaining "It probably wouldn't work. Not if they take any time to actually check."

So that left one option. Hiding her somewhere, moving that spot every so often and bringing her to her events via teleportation.

Junko pulled out her phone and dialed Misaka's number. She'd gotten it from her earlier, soon after she'd arrived.

It picked up after two rings.

"Hello?" Misaka's voice sounded tired on the other end.

Junko closed her eyes as she spoke "Are you okay?"

"Fine." The girl mumbled.

With a nod, Junko continued "If you're sure? Anyway, can you ask Shirai to teleport you back to us. We're going to be moving as a group."

A couple of seconds later the two of them had returned and Junko and Shirai picked out a new spot. It was in district 19, there were plenty of places to hide there and it should be fairly empty of guests even during the festival.

With a little convincing, Shirai transported everyone over in about five minutes.

While everyone continued to chat even as they found some space on top of an abandoned building, Junko still felt tense.

There was something wrong here, something-

[ASCRS:STUDY]

A scream could be heard as some of her friends collapsed suddenly. Others had to catch them so they didn't hurt themselves on the hard surfaces.

As if there weren't already issues to deal with, one of the clique members with clairvoyance called out "There are more dogs coming!"

Indeed, more robot dogs were approaching slowly down the street. How had they been found?

Another esper was the obvious answer, someone who'd have some sort of tracking power. Actually, why did it even need to be a power? Some sort of tracker could have been used. If it was that though, who'd be the most obvious person to mark?

Misaka? No, she'd be able to detect any sort of tracker that had been planted on her.

No, the most obvious person to track would be; Herself. That pain from earlier.

Her hand went again to the spot where she had felt the sting. She pulled at her shirt's collar and wasn't entirely surprised to find a small red mark on her shoulder.

Damn it.

"Shirai, teleport everyone away from here. There's a tracker on me so I'll hold off the dogs."

The teleporter nodded and with a burst of strength, Junko jumped the three stories down to street level. Her bones cracked and rehealed as she stood and looked at the dogs.

Hopefully she could buy them enough time.

End of chapter.

So, most of this chapter was not what I had originally planned to write. My original plan had Junko sending Misaka away when the dogs arrived but I soon realised that was exactly what Baba would want so instead I needed to do this.

Next chapter is going to be Junko as well and it's probably going to be the last before we get back to Joule.

A guest commented about ASG3 and I want to say this; It probably won't have any major effect on this story. Kirin won't be getting involved. Or at least probably not. Not unless some kind of dimention travel comes up in ASG3. I'll see when it comes out.